Box Score

ADA, Ohio – The Cardinal women's soccer team posted a dramatic road win Wednesday evening, escaping with a 3-2 triumph at Ohio Northern University on an overtime goal from freshman Alyssa Spencer.

The crucial win moves Otterbein University to 7-2-4 on the season, 3-0-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and keeps the team unbeaten in its last seven matches.

Otterbein controlled much of the possession to begin the contest, eventually getting on the board in the 19th minute when Jillian Strimbu notched her eighth goal of the season by ripping a shot from the top of the 18 of an assist from Melinda Stemen.

Ohio Northern (6-6-1, 2-2 OAC) settled in and took a little bit of control over the final 10 minutes of the first half, tying the contest on a goal from Rachel Weigman in the 38th minute. Otterbein keeper Dana Strimbu was able to stop an initial Polar Bear shot, but Weigman was there to play the deflection and draw her team even.

Otterbein regained the lead early in the second period, getting a header inside the right post from Madison Burchfield on a nicely played corner kick from Alex Ancona.

The Cardinals attempted to hang on down the stretch in regulation, getting a few timely saves from Dana Strimbu and fighting off some long throw-ins from the host squad. ONU would tie the match, again, with under three minutes to play when Alex Weirich headed in a pass from Haley Napier.

Otterbein remained poised and quickly regrouped at the break, ultimately watching Spencer convert a header to the far post off an incoming pass from senior KyLee Tuchfarber.

"It's always a tough match with Ohio Northern," head coach Brandon Koons said afterwards. "I thought we each had periods in the match where we dominating and each team found goals. They leaned on us down the stretch and forced an equalizer, but our reaction was wonderful. It shows a lot of character to win the way we had to tonight. I couldn't be happier."

Otterbein finished with slight advantages of 13-10 in shots and 6-4 on corner kicks. Dana Strimbu walked away with a season-high seven saves in the net for the Cardinals, who will finish out the week with a 7 p.m. matchup at Muskingum come Saturday.